Former All-Star center fielder
Vernon Wells, a longtime client of
The Legacy Agency, has joined the firm as an MLB agent.
Wells, who passed the MLB Players Association agent exam a few months ago, will be involved in all aspects of the agent business, including recruiting, negotiations and maintaining client relationships.
Wells was represented by TLA partner Brian Peters throughout his 15-year career with the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees, during which he was a three-time All-Star and won three Golden Gloves and a Silver Slugger award. In 2006, Wells signed a seven-year, $126 million contract with the Blue Jays, at the time the sixth largest in baseball and negotiated by his current co-workers at TLA.
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Vernon Wells was a three-time All-Star with the Blue Jays.
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“I don’t have to do this,” Wells said.
Wells, whose last MLB appearance was in 2013, never officially retired as a player but began quietly working as an agent about two months ago. “I’ve been going at it for a few months now, and for me it’s fun,” Wells said.
Wells became an agent because he wants to stay involved with baseball and to guide young players. “I love talking baseball, especially talking baseball with young ballplayers,” he said. “That was part of my role, even when I was playing, was to help guys.”
Wells was a team player representative for the MLBPA throughout his career and was involved in union negotiations.
“Even from my first year in the big leagues, being involved [as a player representative], as well as being involved in my own negotiations, gives me a lot of insight,” Wells said. “Having to learn what is going on, the ins and outs of the negotiations, gives me insight into a lot of things.”
Peters said he and Wells talked over the years about the possibility of working as agents together.
“It’s very cool to have Vernon be an agent,” Peters said. “He was always such an inquisitive client. He always took a role in his negotiations. He served as a mentor for many of his teammates. They sought his advice and counsel because they had such respect for him.”
TLA represents more than 50 MLB players, including Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Carl Crawford and Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes.
In the free agent market this year, TLA will represent several players, include Astros pitcher Scott Kazmir and Dodgers pitcher Brett Anderson.
Wells said he has been working on recruiting and is looking forward to free agency. Asked how being an agent is different from being a player, Wells said: “That’s easy. I don’t get booed anymore.”
> BURKE JOINS VANGUARD AS CMO: Veteran sports marketing executive Bruce Burke has become a partner and chief marketing officer at Vanguard Sports Group, the agency formed by NFL agent Joby Branion.
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| BURKE |
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Burke was founder of Beyond Branding and has retained an ownership stake in that company, but is working full time for Vanguard. He has deep roots in sports marketing and began his career at the NFL, where he was vice president for advertising and brand communications from 1987 to 1999.
In addition to Burke, Alex Cobbold has joined Vanguard as director of marketing from Under Armour. Bill Vaughn has joined as senior vice president for corporate sponsorship and engagement from Engage Marketing.
Branion founded Vanguard in September 2014 after helping to found Athletes First, where he worked for 13 years.
Vanguard represents 27 NFL players, including Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Brandon Weeden and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Vanguard recently added San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen as a client.
Liz Mullen can be reached at lmullen@sportsbusinessjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @SBJLizMullen.
